Lock-switch for electric meters.



W. S. CORD & H. F. HEYWOOD. LOCK SWITCH FOR ELECTRIC METERS.

APPLIOATION FILED SEPT. 16, 1908.

v Patented Apr. 27, 1909.

n4: mmms pzrsns ca, WASHINGTON, n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM S. CORD, OF OOEANPARK, AND HERBERT F. HEYWOOD, OF LOS ANGELES, UALIFORNIA.

LOCK-SWITCH F03 ELECTRIC IKETERS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 27, 1909.

Application filed September 16, 1908. Serial No. 453,369.

\ieters, of which the following is a specification.

The ob ect of this invention is to provide switch whereby the current can be locked on or elf the service circuit by means which are contained within and protected by the meter casing.

The accompanying drawings illustratcthe invention.

Figure 1 is a plan of the meter with the lock switch in locked off position. Fig. 2 is a rear View of the meter mechanism showing connection of the switch thereto, a part of the case being shown in section. Fig. 8 is a section on line Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a plan of a modified form of lock. Fig. 5 is a perspective of the fixed portion of the switch. Fig. 6 is a perspective of the movable member thereof.

1 designates a meter case which contains and protects the meter mechanism 2 and lock switch, hereinafter described. The meter mechanism2 may be of any usual con struction and is not herein specifically described. The usual connection block l at one side of the mechanism is retained, but for the connection block at the other side is substituted a switch block or support 5 (see Fig. i) of insulating material, having fastencd thereto two pairs of metallic contact blocks 7, 8 each block 8 having a lateral extension 8 formed as a socket to receive a connecting wire for the service leads 9, 9, and the blocks 7 being connected by wires 1.0, 11 to the meter 3. Terminals 12, 13 on connection block 4 are connected to the service leads 14, 14 leading to the lamps, etc. The movable member of the switch consists of a cylinder 16 of insulating material, through which extends two plates 17, 18, plate 17 extending above the upper end of the cylinder. Said cylinder fits, and is rotatably movable in, a bore or socket 19 extending vertically through the insulating connection block 5, aforesaid, in such manner that in a certain position of the said cylinder the plate 17 thereof will establish connection at the upper part of the switch between the upper blocks 8 and 7, and the plate 18 at the lower part of the cylinder will establish connection between the lower blocks 8 and 7, said blocks being exposed within said bore. When the cylinder is turned to a position at right angles to that above referred to the metal plates 17, 18 will be out of contact with the said contact blocks 7, 8 and the cir- I cuit will be interrupted at both sides, the in connection with an electric meter, a lock switch bein a double-pole switch. The upper plate l'l of the switch serves also as an operating means for the switch and extends through the opening 20 in the top of the containing case of the meter, an operating lever 21 being pivoted at 22 on this plate, said lever being preferably of insulating material and having a yoke or fork 23 adapt ed to embrace one or the other of two lugs 24, 24 on the top of the meter case, these lugs being so situated as to hold the switch in either closed or open position. Lover fork 23 and lugs 24 are perforated as at 25 to receive a bolt 26 of a suitable key controlled lock, as, for example, a pad-lock 27.

Vi hen it is desired to turn off the current from the house the switch lever 21 is moved to the position shown in Fig. 1 and is secured in that position by means of the pad-lock 27. It is not possible for the consumer or other persons to then tamper with the switch so as to obtain current without destroying the lock. When service is to be rendered to a house the switch lever is moved to the position where its fork will engage with the other lug 24 and locked in that position, thus locking the switch in position to establish connection to the house. This device takes the place of and dispenses with the usual outside connection switch which is liable to be tampered with, its terminals being exposed. in such manner that it can be readily short circuited. By inclosing the lock switch within the meter case, the terminals are protected from any attempted short circuiting' by unauthorized persons. In place of the key controlled lock any other lock may be used, for example, a lead or other seal, as shown at 30 in Fig. 4, or the switch plug may be removed bodily from the switch block, and retained by the party' attending to the meter.

What we claim is:

1. In combination with an electric meter and its containing case, a switch contained within the case and controlling the circuit. through tne meter, a fixed part on the meter and key controlled means for locking said switch to said fixed part in either cL- sed or open position of the switch.

2. In comhination with a meter and its containing case, said meter provided. with tor-- minals for supply and consumption circuits, a switch contained within the meter .1 and controlling the connention of said if nits and of said meter, an ope 'ating lever for said switch extending mitside oi saidv case, a tired part on the case, and key controlled locking; means for h lzing lle'ver to said Iixe 1 part.

3. In comhimrtion with an electric meter and its containing case, switco contained in the mete *ase and eon'iprising an insulating support having; a hero, contacts exposed within said here, an insulating cylin er mounted to rotate in said lice and hav 1;; piates extending through same to connect the aforesaid contact in a git n. position oi the cylinder, means "12(i 81li113 from said cylinder to the outside of the meter case, an openting lever pivoted. on said last-named means, lugs on the meter case and key controlled. ioeking means for locking; said lever to either oi said lugs.

d ii

41- In c nnhination with an electric meter and its centannng case, a socket in said. case I and its containing case, said case having a socket, a switch plug contained within the (ti-SQ and fitting within said socket, said. plug heing rotatable in the socket and provided with a part extending; outside of the case, a fixed part on the case, means for connecting said plug; to saidv fixed part, and key controlled means for locking said. parts in such nnectir'rn whereby the plug locked in her i closed or open position in its socket or, on nnlockii the paid connection, can he moved to either closedv or open position or can. he removed from its socket.

in testimony whereof, we have her-crime our hands at Les nngr'al-is, California, this 1 da of September 1908.

lVl LLIAM S. CORD. HERBERT F. HEYWW )0 I). in presence of- ARTHUR P. KNIGHT, FRANK L. A. GRA'I'IAM. 

